A former Labour councillor has been charged with encouraging violent disorder.

Ricky Jones, 57, was filmed addressing a crowd at a London demonstration on Wednesday evening, during which he “appeared to make remarks and a gesture to encourage others to act violently towards far-right protestors”, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

Jaswant Narwal, chief crown prosecutor for CPS London North, said: “He has been arrested and charged within 48 hours, and will now appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court this afternoon, 9 August.

“We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.

“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

Jones was a Labour councillor in Dartford, Kent.